Lighted vehicle access system and method

ABSTRACT

A lighted vehicle access apparatus and method are disclosed, wherein one or more lights coupled to a movable platform are positioned to illuminate the platform. In some embodiments, the lights are in a fixed position with respect to the platform (and therefore movable with respect to the vehicle), while in other embodiments, the lights are movable with respect to the platform in movement of the platform between stowed and deployed positions and/or between raised and lowered positions with respect to the vehicle. The lights can be coupled to one or more arm assemblies of the vehicle access apparatus, to one or more handles of the vehicle access apparatus, or in other locations. Also, the lights can be electroluminescent light elements, bulbs, or other types of light-emitting devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/186,441 filed on Jul. 21, 2005, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/589,620 filed on Jul. 21,2004. The entire contents of each of these applications are incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Numerous devices exist for assisting individuals having reduced mobilityinto and out of vehicles. Such devices include without limitationlifting platforms, ramps, moving seats, movable steps, and the likemounted to a vehicle in any conventional manner. For example, somedevices are used to lift and lower standing individuals or individualsin wheelchairs, or to move individuals in other manners with respect toa vehicle. As another example, some devices are used to enablestretchers or beds to be loaded onto and/or unloaded from vehicles. Asyet another example, some devices can be positioned in different mannersto permit easier entry and exit of individuals into and out of vehicles.Such devices include ramps and steps that can be moved to differentpositions with respect to the vehicle.

Despite advances in vehicle access technology, some impediments tovehicle entry and exit still exist for individuals with reducedmobility. One such impediment is the ability of individuals to clearlysee the vehicle entry and exit device. For example, in some cases, thevehicle entry and exit device may need to be used in dark conditions. Asanother example, the individual using the device may be blind or visionimpaired, and therefore unable to see the device or parts of the device.

Vehicle entry and exit devices are often powered, typically includemoving parts, and can be used in many locations and conditions. Forthese and other reasons, it is important for a user and/or operator toclearly see the vehicle entry and exit device (or components thereof)and its position and movement during operation. In many cases, the useror operator must rely upon light from the vehicle or from thesurrounding environment in order to see the vehicle entry and exitdevice. However, such light can be inadequate or can be ineffective infully illuminating the vehicle entry and exit device. Also, vehicleentry and exit devices typically include moving parts as mentionedabove, therefore increasing the chances that part or all of such deviceshave reduced visibility in some positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle accessapparatus coupled to and movable with respect to a vehicle for userentry into and exit from the vehicle, the vehicle access apparatuscomprising a platform, an actuator coupled to the platform and operableto move the platform with respect to the vehicle, and a light coupled tothe vehicle access apparatus and positioned to illuminate at least partof the platform.

In some embodiments, a method of illuminating a platform of a vehicleaccess apparatus coupled to and movable with respect to a vehicle foruser entry into and exit from the vehicle is provided, and comprisessupplying power to a light coupled to the vehicle access apparatus,illuminating at least part of the platform with the light; moving theplatform with respect to the vehicle, and moving the light while movingthe platform in order to illuminate the platform.

Further aspects of the present invention, together with the organizationand operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which show various embodiments of the presentinvention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosedin the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. Thevarious elements and combinations of elements described below andillustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently toresult in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lighted vehicle liftaccording to the present invention, shown in a deployed position;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of the lighted vehicle lift illustrated inFIG. 1, shown in a stowed position;

FIG. 4 is a side detail view of the lighted vehicle lift illustrated inFIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a light assembly of the lighted vehicle liftillustrated in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the light assembly illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lighted vehiclelift according to the present invention, shown in a deployed position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lighted vehiclelift according to the present invention, shown in a deployed position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lighted vehiclelift according to the present invention, shown in a deployed position;

FIG. 10 is a side detail view of the lighted vehicle lift illustrated inFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lighted vehiclelift according to the present invention, shown in a deployed position;

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of a light assemblyaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another lighted vehicle lift accordingto the present invention, shown in a deployed position;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are side views of the lighted vehicle lift illustratedin FIG. 13, shown in a stowed position;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a portion of the lighted vehicle liftillustrated in FIGS. 13-15, shown in a deployed position;

FIG. 17 is a side detail view of the lighted vehicle lift illustrated inFIGS. 13-16;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the light assembly of the lighted vehicle liftillustrated in FIGS. 13-17; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of yet another lighted vehicle liftaccording to the present invention, shown in a deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a vehicle entry and exit device is illustrated in FIGS.1-4. The vehicle entry and exit device in FIGS. 1-4 is a lift (indicatedgenerally at 10) for individuals having reduced mobility. For example,the lift 10 can be used to help individuals in wheelchairs enter andexit a vehicle. The lift 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is a dualparallelogram-type lift, and will be described in greater detail below.Although the principles of the present invention are described below andillustrated in FIGS. 1-4 as applied to a dual parallelogram-type lift,these principles can be applied to any vehicle entry and exit device inwhich at least a portion of a platform, seat, ramp, or step coupled to avehicle is movable to extend and retract with respect to the vehicle inorder to assist users in entering and/or exiting the vehicle. By way ofexample only, the principles of the present invention can be employedwith respect to dual or single parallelogram-type lifts (an example ofwhich is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,169 issued to Dupuy et al.),under vehicle lifts (an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,398,479 issued to Dupuy et al.), single-arm lifts (examples of whichare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,992 issued to Ringdahl et al. andU.S. Pat. No. 4,664,584 issued to Braun et al.), foldable andnon-foldable access ramps, seats that are extendable and retractablewith respect to a vehicle, movable step systems, and the like.Accordingly, the dual parallelogram-type lift illustrated in FIGS. 1-4is presented by way of example only in order to describe and illustratethe principles of the present invention, and does not indicate or implythat the present invention is limited to certain types of vehicle entryand exit devices.

With reference again to FIGS. 1-4, the illustrated lift 10 has two armassemblies 12 movable with respect to a vehicle (not shown) in order tolift and lower a platform 14 with respect to the vehicle. Each armassembly 12 has a pair of arms 16, each of which are pivotably coupledto at least one stanchion 18 and to a link 20. Either or both armassemblies 12 can be driven in any conventional manner, such as by ahydraulic actuator drivably connected to either or both arms 16 of anarm assembly 12. Other driving systems include without limitationelectric motors, pneumatic actuators, solenoids, and the like, any ofwhich can be drivably coupled to one or more of the arms 16 in anyconventional manner. In other embodiments, any of the driving systemsdescribed above can be used to raise and lower the platform 14 in anyother conventional manner.

The stanchions 18 can be mounted to a vehicle in a number of differentmanners well known to those in the art. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4 for example, the stanchions 18 are mounted to a base 22 of thelift 10, which is secured to the floor, a frame, or other portion of thevehicle. The base 22 can be secured by bolts, screws, rivets, or otherconventional fasteners, by welding, brazing, adhesive or cohesivebonding material, and the like. Alternatively or in addition, thestanchions 18 can be secured directly to the vehicle in any of thesemanners, in which case the lift 10 need not necessarily have a base 22.

Each arm assembly 12 in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 also hasanother arm 24 extending to the platform 14. The arm 24 is pivotablycoupled to the platform 14 so that the platform 14 can be pivotedbetween a deployed position shown in FIG. 1 and a stowed position shownin FIGS. 2 and 3.

By driving either or both arm assemblies 12 as described above, the arms24 and the platform 14 can be moved to different vertical positions withrespect to the vehicle and/or can be moved toward and away from thevehicle as is well known in the art. For example, when the armassemblies 12 illustrated in FIG. I are driven in one direction (i.e.,generally clockwise in FIGS. 1-3), the pairs of arms 16 are pivoted withrespect to the stanchions 18 in a direction away from the vehicle and inwhich the arms 24 and platform 14 are lowered. When the arm assemblies12 in this example are driven in an opposite direction (i.e., generallycounterclockwise in FIGS. 1-3), the pairs of arms 16 are pivoted withrespect to the stanchions 18 in a direction toward the vehicle and inwhich the arms 24 of the platform 14 are raised.

In some embodiments, the parallelogram-type lift 10 illustrated in FIGS.1-4 has barriers limiting movement of individuals or objects off of theplatform 14. For example, the platform can have rails 26 that extendalong part or all of the sides of the platform 14, and can have inboardand outboard barriers 28, 30 that extend along part or all of theinboard and outboard ends of the platform 14. Either or both barriers28, 30 can be movable in some embodiments, such as by one or moreactuators coupled to the barriers 28, 30 in any conventional manner. Inthe illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the inboard barrier 28 ispivotably coupled to an inboard end of the platform 14, and is drivenbetween raised and lowered positions by a mechanical actuator 32(described in greater detail below). Also in this embodiment, theoutboard barrier 30 is pivotably coupled to the ends of the rails 26,and is pivotable between a blocking position as shown in FIG. 1 and alowered position (not shown) in which the outboard barrier 30 issubstantially parallel to and/or is located beneath the platform 14.

The lift 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 also has a pair of handles 34extending from the arms 24 to provide users or other individuals withlocations for grasping the lift 10. Alternatively, the handles 34 canextend from any part of the lift 10, such as from the platform 14, anyother part of the arm assemblies 12, and the like. The handles 34 canhave any shape desired, including without limitation straight, curved,bent, and/or looped handles, handles having irregular shapes, and thelike.

In some embodiments, the handles 34 are movable with respect to theelement(s) to which they are mounted. Such movement can enable thehandles 34 to be pivoted or moved in any other manner between deployedand stowed positions. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, forexample, each handle 34 is pivotably coupled to a respective arm 24, andextends through the arm for connection to a mechanical actuator 32. Themechanical actuator 32 in FIGS. 1-4 includes a link 36 and a telescopingstrut 38 pivotably coupled together and to different locations along thearm 24. The mechanical actuator 32 also includes a cam member 40pivotably coupled to the link 36 and telescoping strut 38, andpositioned to be actuated by the arm assembly 12 when the arm 24 (andmechanical actuator 32) is raised toward an entry or transfer level,such as at the height of a vehicle floor. This motion causes the cammember 40 to lower the inboard barrier 28 by pushing the telescopingstrut 38 downwardly, causes the telescoping strut 38 to shorten, andpivots the handles 34 toward stowed positions adjacent the arms 24 andlinks 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Also, this motion causes thetelescoping struts 38 to push upon an inboard end of the platform 14,causing the platform 14 to pivot about the lower ends of the arms 24toward the stowed position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

It is often desirable for the lift 10 to occupy a minimum amount ofspace when in its stowed position. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, forexample, the arm assemblies 12, platform 14, stanchions 18, and handles34 occupy a relatively small space that can be bounded on an outboardside (i.e., the right side as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) by a vehicle dooror other barrier.

The lift 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 includes two light assemblies 42located on the arms 24 described above. Each light assembly 42 cancomprise one or more lights of any type (hereinafter referred to as“light elements”), as described in greater detail below. As best shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, each light assembly 42 can have a housing 44constructed of any material or combination of materials, such asplastic, metal, glass, composites, and the like. Also, each lightassembly 42 can have one or more lenses 46 (see FIGS. 5 and 6)constructed of any transparent or semi-transparent material permittinglight to exit the housing 44, including without limitation plastic,glass, composites, and the like. The lenses 46 can be colorless,substantially colorless, or can have any color desired in order toprovide colored light for the lift 10.

In some embodiments, the light assemblies 42 can be adapted to castlight only in certain directions or ranges of directions. For example,the lenses 46 of the light assemblies 42 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 can beshaped to permit light to escape the light assemblies 42 substantiallyonly in a direction toward the platform 14 in order to concentrate thelight upon the platform 14 and/or to reduce unwanted illumination ofother areas around the lift 10. For example, the lenses 46 illustratedin FIGS. 1-4 extend only across a portion of a front of the housing 44,and therefore permit light to escape the housing 44 only in directionsgenerally towards the platform 14.

Each light assembly 42 has one or more light elements (not shown) thatcan be located in or on the housing 44. The light elements can take anyform desired, including without limitation incandescent, LED, halogen,neon, fluorescent, and other types of light bulbs. In the illustratedembodiment of FIGS. 1-4, two light assemblies 42 are mounted on the arms24 as described above, and include incandescent bulbs (not shown)located within respective housings 44. In other embodiments, the lightelements can be electroluminescent lights in any form (tape, rope, pads,and the like). Any other type of light-producing element can instead beused, and falls within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The light assemblies 42 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 are each supplied withpower via wiring extending from each light assembly 42 to a suitablepower supply. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the powersupply is a battery (not shown) providing DC voltage to the lightassemblies 42 via wiring (also not shown) running from the stanchions18, through either or both hollow arms 16 of each arm assembly 12, andthrough the hollow arms 24 to the light assemblies 42. In otherembodiments, the light assemblies 42 can be supplied with AC power in asimilar manner.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, each light assembly 42 in theillustrated embodiment has a base 47 that can be received within anaperture in the arm 24 or other lift surface to which the light assembly42 is mounted. The base 47 can have any shape suitable for this purpose,and can be hollow or can be provided with one or more apertures throughwhich wiring is passed for powering the light assembly 42 as describedabove.

In some embodiments, the light assemblies 42 of the lift 10 are locatedat a lower elevation than the handles 34, permitting illumination of atleast part of the platform 14 without obstruction from the handles 34(if employed). For example, the light assemblies 42 of the lift 10illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 are positioned on the arms 24 in locationsbelow the elevation of the handles 34 (i.e., at a lower elevation thanwhere the handles 34 are coupled to the arms 24). The light assemblies42 can be mounted in relatively low positions on the lift 10 to provideenhanced illumination of the platform 14 while reducing the amount ofundesirable light directed toward the eyes of users and otherindividuals on or around the lift 10. To this end, the light assemblies42 can be mounted on the arms 24 at a location that is lower than thehandles 34 as just described, can be located at any point along therails 26 of the platform 14, at any point along the inboard and/oroutboard barriers 28, 30, on either arm 16 of either arm assembly 12(e.g., on the lower of the two arms shown in FIG. 1), on the base 22, onthe stanchions 18, on the handles 34, and the like. In otherembodiments, the light assemblies 42 can be mounted in higher locationson the lift 10, such as on the arms 24 at an elevation higher than thehandles 34 (i.e., at a higher elevation than where the handles 34 arecoupled to the arms 24).

By virtue of their locations on the arm assemblies 12 of the lift 10,the light assemblies 42 in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 aresubstantially stationary with respect to the platform 14 when theplatform 14 is moved to different elevations. In other embodiments, thelight assemblies 42 are located in other positions (e.g., on theplatform 14, on other portions of the arm assemblies 42, and the like)in which the light assemblies 42 are substantially stationary withrespect to the platform 14 when the platform 14 is moved to differentelevations. In such embodiments, the light assemblies 42 can besubstantially stationary with respect to the platform 14 insubstantially the entire range of elevations of the platform 14, in amajority of the range of elevations of the platform 14, or in any otherfraction of the range of elevations of the platform 14. Also, in someembodiments, the light assemblies 42 are located on the lift 10 (e.g.,on the stanchions 18, on the base 22, and the like) such that thepositions of the light assemblies 42 with respect to the platform 14change when the platform 14 is moved to different elevations.

Also by virtue of their locations on the arm assemblies, the lightassemblies 42 in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 are movablewith respect to the vehicle when the lift 10 is moved between its stowedand deployed positions. As mentioned above, in other embodiments, thelight assemblies 42 are located in other positions (e.g., on theplatform 14, on other portions of the arm assemblies 42, and the like)in which the light assemblies 42 are movable with respect to the vehiclewhen the lift 10 is moved between its stowed and deployed positions. Insuch embodiments, the light assemblies 42 can be movable with respect tothe vehicle 14 in substantially the entire range of positions of thelift 10 between the stowed and deployed positions of the lift 10, in amajority of this range of positions, or in any other fraction of thisrange of positions.

It is often desirable for the light assemblies 42 to provide asubstantially constant intensity, area, and type of illumination indifferent positions of the lift 10. For example, in those cases wherethe light assemblies 42 are used to illuminate part or all of theplatform 14, it is often desirable for the intensity, area, and type ofillumination to be the same at different positions of the lift 10. Insome embodiments, the platform 14 translates and/or pivots with respectto other portions of the lift 10. In such cases, the light assemblies 42can be mounted to move with the platform 14 in any part or all of therange of movement of the platform 14.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the light assemblies 42 aremounted to move with respect to the vehicle when the lift 10 is movedbetween stowed and deployed positions, such as by mounting the lightassemblies 42 upon the arms 24 or other portions of the lift 10 thatmove with the platform 14 as described above. In this manner, the lightassemblies 42 and platform 14 can have a substantially constantpositional relationship with respect to one another during at least aportion of the movement of the lift 10. When the platform 14 illustratedin FIGS. 1-4 is in the deployed position shown in FIG. 1, movement ofthe platform 14 to different vertical positions does not change thepositional relationship between the light assemblies 42 and the platform14, thereby providing a substantially constant intensity, area, and typeof illumination of the platform 14. However, in this embodiment, theplatform 14 is also pivotable with respect to the arms 24. Therefore,the positional relationship between the light assemblies 42 and theplatform 14 changes during part of the movement of the lift 10 (i.e., inpivotal movement of the platform 14 between deployed and stowedpositions).

It will be appreciated that the light assemblies 42 can be mounted toother portions of the lift 10 while still maintaining a substantiallyconstant positional relationship with respect to the platform 14 in aportion or all of the range of movement of the lift 10. For example, thelight assemblies 42 can be mounted to either or both rails 26, in whichcase the light assemblies 42 can have a constant positional relationshipin all positions of the lift 10.

However, in other embodiments, one or more light assemblies 42 can bemounted to the lift 10 in locations where the light assemblies 42 remainstationary with respect to the vehicle. For example, one or more lightassemblies 42 can be mounted to either or both stanchions 18 and/or tothe base 22 in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. Such lightmounting locations can provide sufficient light to illuminate theplatform 14 movable with respect thereto and/or other portions of thelift 10 (e.g., the base 22, areas around the lift 10, and the like).

In some applications, the vehicle structure near the lift 10 can blocklight from illuminating the platform 14 in one or more platformpositions. For example, the floor of the vehicle can block light fromwithin the vehicle, thereby preventing illumination of the platform 14in one or more platform positions (e.g., when the platform 14 is loweredbelow the elevation of the vehicle floor). Therefore, in someembodiments one or more light assemblies 42 are mounted in positionsthat move above and below the elevation of the vehicle floor when theplatform 14 is sufficiently raised and lowered, respectively. In theembodiment of FIGS. 1-4, for example, the light assemblies 42 aremounted in positions on the arms 24 so that the light assemblies 42 aremoved from an elevation above the vehicle floor and base 22 to anelevation below the vehicle floor and base 22 when the platform 14 issufficiently lowered. The light assemblies 42 can be mounted in otherlocations on the lift 10 (described above) while still enabling thelight assemblies 42 to move in this manner.

As described above, it is often desirable to place the lift 10 in astowed position in which the lift 10 occupies a relatively small amountof space in the vehicle. To this end, in some embodiments, lightassemblies 42 are mounted in locations in which the light assemblies 42do not increase the vehicle space needed for the lift 10. In otherwords, when the lift 10 is in a stowed position, the lift 10 occupies avolume in the vehicle defined by a number of external planes. The lightassemblies 42 can be positioned so that the lift 10 occupiessubstantially the same amount of vehicle space with or without the lightassemblies 42. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, thelight assemblies 42 can be mounted on the lift 10 so that the outermostsurface(s) of the light assemblies 42 do not protrude beyond a plane 48(see FIG. 3) in which the outermost (outboard) features of the lift 10lie when the lift 10 is in a fully stowed position. By locating thelight assemblies 42 in recessed positions with respect to surroundinglift structure, the light assemblies 42 are less susceptible to damageand do not increase the size of the lift 10.

The embodiment of the illuminated lift 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4provides an example of how electroluminescent (EL) light elements can beused to illuminate one or more parts of the lift 10. In addition to thelight assemblies 42 described above, the lift 10 illustrated in FIGS.1-4 has a pair of EL light elements 50 located on the rails 26 of theplatform 14. The EL light elements, together with their electricalconnections, are another type of light assembly 42 that can be used inany of the lift embodiments described herein. Only one of the EL lightelements 50 is visible in FIGS. 1-4, it being understood that the secondEL light element 50 is secured to the opposite rail 26 in a similarlocation and manner. The EL light elements 50 are strips of light tapeadhered to the rails 26, and extend along at least part of the length ofthe platform 14. Alternatively, the EL light elements 50 can take anyother form, including without limitation EL rope, cable, panels, and thelike, and can be mounted in any other manner, including withoutlimitation by screws, bolts, clips, clamps, pins, nails, and the like.The EL light elements 50 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 are connected ina conventional manner to electrical wiring (not shown) at the inboardends of the EL light elements 50. The electrical wiring can run withinthe arms 24, 16 and links 20 to a power source (not shown). The wiringcan be run in any manner described above with reference to the lightassemblies 42 mounted on the arms 24, and can be connected to andpowered by any conventional power source suitable for EL light elements(e.g., low-voltage DC power provided from a transformer connected to abattery or other vehicle power source). EL light elements and theirmanner of operation and electrical connection are well known to those inthe art and are not therefore described further herein.

The EL light elements 50 can be mounted in any of the locationsdescribed above with reference to the light assemblies 42, and cantherefore provide the same advantages as the light assemblies 42.However, in some embodiments the EL light elements 50 can be mounted inlocations and manners not possible with other types of light elementsand assemblies. For example, EL light elements 50 in the form of tapecan be mounted on any surface of the lift 10, including surfaces of theinboard and/or outboard barriers 28, 30, other surfaces of the platform14, surfaces of the base 22, surfaces of the handles 34, and the like.EL light elements 50 in other forms (described above) can be mounted insimilar locations. In many cases, the EL light elements 50 can have anyshape desired, and can have shapes adapted to the surfaces to which theEL light elements 50 are mounted. For example, light tape can be cut toany shape desired, and can therefore be shaped to cover any part or allof any surface of the lift 10 (such as to cover all inner surfaces ofthe rails 26, to cover the sides of the stanchions 18, to be wrappedaround any part or all of the handles 34, and the like).

The principles of the present invention described above can be appliedto any vehicle entry and exit device. For example, one or more lightassemblies 42 can be coupled to a one-stanchion lift (not shown) in anyof the manners and locations described above. An example of aone-stanchion lift is a lift having substantially the same structure asshown in FIGS. 1-4, but in which only one stanchion 18, arm assembly 12,and actuator 32 are used. The light assemblies 42 as described hereincan be used on any other type of one-stanchion lift desired.

Four other illuminated vehicle entry and exit devices are illustrated inFIGS. 7-12. The elements and features of the vehicle entry and exitdevices illustrated in FIGS. 7-12 are similar in many ways to elementsand features in embodiments described above and illustrated in FIGS.1-6. Accordingly, the following description focuses primarily upon thoseelements and features that are different from the embodiments describedabove. Reference should be made to the above description for additionalinformation regarding the elements, features, and possible alternativesto the elements and features of the lifts illustrated in FIGS. 7-12 anddescribed below. Elements and features of the embodiments shown in FIGS.7-12 that correspond to elements and features of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-6 are designated hereinafter in the 100, 200, 300, and 400series of reference numbers, respectively.

The lifts 110, 210, 410 illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 12 are powered byhydraulic actuators 152, 252, 452 mounted on the stanchions 118, 218,418 and coupled to the arm assemblies 112, 212, 412 to move the arms124, 224, 424 with respect to the vehicle in a conventional manner.Suitable controls for each lift 110, 210, 410 can be housed within acontrol box 154, 254, 454 such as the control box 154, 254, 454 ismounted to a stanchion 118, 218, 418 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 12.Also, shrouds 156, 256, 456 can be mounted in suitable locations on eachlift 110, 210, 410 to protect users and other individuals from movingparts of the lift 110, 210, 410. For example, shrouds 156, 256, 456 arecoupled to the arm assemblies 112, 212, 412 in FIGS. 7, 8, and 12, andat least partially enclose the outboard ends of the arms 116, 216, 416and their connections to the links 120, 220, 420 and to the arms 124,224, 424 extending to the platform 114, 214, 414. FIGS. 7, 8, and 12also illustrate different types of handles 134, 234, 434 that can beused with lifts 110, 210, 410. The lift 310 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and10 is powered in substantially the same manner, employs substantiallythe same arm assembly components, and moves in substantially the samemanner as the embodiment of the lift 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

The lifts 110, 210, 310 illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 are provided with lightassemblies 142, 242, 342 mounted upon the arms 124, 224, 324 in asimilar manner to the light assemblies 42 in the embodiment of FIGS.1-4. As described above, the light assemblies 142, 242, 342 can belocated in other positions on the lifts 110, 210, 310. By way of exampleonly, the light assemblies 442 illustrated in FIG. 12 are mounted on thelinks 420 of the arm assemblies 412.

The light assemblies 142, 242 in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7and 8 have a relatively low profile, and in some embodiments can havesmaller light elements (e.g., halogen bulbs) within their housings 144,244. Also, the lenses 146, 246 of the light assemblies 142, 242 areshaped to cast light upon the areas surrounding the lift 110, 210 aswell as upon the platform 114, 214. In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8,the housing 144, 244 has a lens 146, 246 with an arcuate cross-sectionalshape to provide this type of illumination. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9and 10, the housing 344 has a semi-spherical lens 346 for this samepurpose. The lens 346 can have a mirrored exterior surface as best shownin FIG. 10. Such a mirrored surface can be employed on any of the lightassembly lenses described herein. Yet another type of light assembly 442is illustrated in FIG. 12. Such light assemblies 442 have housingsexternal to the arm assemblies 412, and can be mounted to the armassemblies 412 in any manner desired. In some embodiments, one or moreof the light assemblies 442 (and any of the other light assembliesdescribed and illustrated herein) are adjustable to change theilluminated locations on or adjacent the lift 410. With reference to theembodiment of FIG. 12, the housings of the light assemblies 442 can berotated in one or more manners for this purpose.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, light assemblies adapted tocast light only in certain directions or ranges of directions can beused. An example of such a light assembly 10 is described above withreference to the lift embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 (see also,FIGS. 5 and 6). Another example of such a light assembly is illustratedin FIG. 11, which illustrates a light assembly 542 having asemi-spherical housing 544 with a partially-spherical lens 546positioned to permit light to exit the housing 544 only in forward andside directions, thereby illuminating the platform 14, 114, 214, 314,414 and an area adjacent the platform 14, 114, 214, 314, 414 but notareas remote from the platform 14, 114, 214, 314, 414. The lenses 46,146, 246, 346, 546 in any of the embodiments described above can beadapted to permit light to exit the housing 44, 144, 244, 344, 444, 544in any range desired, depending at least in part upon the selectedshape, size, and position of the lens 46, 146, 246, 346, 546 withrespect to the housing 44, 144, 244, 344, 444, 544.

FIG. 10 illustrates a manner in which a light assembly 342 can bemounted to the lift 310. The light assembly 342 illustrated in FIG. 10has a housing 344 that includes a rearwardly-depending threaded portion358 upon which can be threaded a nut 360. The housing 344 can also havea rear face 362 that can be positioned to abut a surface in which thehousing 344 is received (e.g., material about an aperture in thesurface). Accordingly, the nut 360 can be threaded upon the housing 344to trap a portion of the lift 310 between the nut 360 and the surface362, thereby securing the light assembly 342 to the lift 310. In otherembodiments, the light assembly 342 can be secured to the lift 310 inany other manner, such as by screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, pins, andother conventional fasteners, adhesive or cohesive bonding material,snap-fits, inter-engaging elements, and the like, and can be mounted toextend within an aperture of the lift 310 or only upon an exteriorsurface of the lift 310.

Another illuminated lift is illustrated in FIGS. 13-18. The elements andfeatures of the vehicle entry and exit device illustrated in FIGS. 13-18are similar in many ways to elements and features in embodimentsdescribed above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-12. Accordingly, thefollowing description focuses primarily upon those elements and featuresthat are different from the embodiments described above. Referenceshould be made to the above description for additional informationregarding the elements, features, and possible alternatives to theelements and features of the lift illustrated in FIGS. 13-18 anddescribed below. Elements and features of the embodiment shown in FIGS.13-18 that correspond to elements and features of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-12 are designated hereinafter in the 600 series of referencenumbers.

The lift 610 illustrated in FIGS. 13-18 has a pair of light assemblies642 coupled to the handles 634 of the lift 610. In some embodiments, andas best shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the light assemblies 642 each includea housing 644 at least partially enclosing one or more light elements(not shown), and a lens 646 through which light can escape the housing644. The light assemblies 642, housing 644, lens 646, and light elementscan take any of the forms (and alternatives thereto) and can be mountedin any of the manners described above with reference to the illuminatedlift embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-12. In the embodiment of FIGS.13-18, the each light assembly 642 is attached to a handle 634 of thelift 610 by receiving the handle 634 through an aperture 664 of thehousing 644. With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the aperture 664 can bedefined by two parts 666, 668 of the housing 644 coupled together aboutthe handle 634. In such cases, the parts 666, 668 of the housing 644 canbe permanently or releasably coupled together in any manner, such as byscrews, nuts and bolts, rivets, pins, and other conventional fasteners,adhesive or cohesive bonding material, snap-fits, inter-engagingelements, and the like.

In other embodiments, the light assemblies 642 can be coupled to thehandles 634 in other manners, such as by screws, bolts, rivets, pins,and other conventional fasteners passed through apertures in the housing644 and handles 634, by clamps on the housing 644 coupled to the handles634 (or vice versa), by screws, bolts, rivets, pins, and otherconventional fasteners connecting flanges, bosses, brackets, or othermounting elements on the housing 644 and/or handles 634, by welding orbrazing, by adhesive or cohesive bonding material, and the like. Stillother manners of permanently and releasably coupling the lightassemblies 642 to the handles 634 are possible, and fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

The light assemblies 642 in the embodiment of FIGS. 13-18 can be coupledanywhere along the handles 634, and in some embodiments are coupled toportions of the handles 634 that are non-horizontal when the lift 610 isin a deployed position (see FIG. 13, for example). Also or instead, thelight assemblies 642 can be shaped so that light is cast in a range ofdirections to illuminate any portion(s) of the lift 610. For example,the lenses 646 of the light assemblies 642 illustrated in FIGS. 13-18have two portions disposed at an angle with respect to one another,thereby concentrating light in two primary directions in order toilluminate different sections of the platform 614. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 13-18 (as well as in the other illuminated lift embodimentsdescribed herein), each lens 646 can have any number of differentsurfaces disposed at angles with respect to one another in order toconcentrate light in different directions. In other embodiments, theother types of light assemblies described above that are capable ofdirecting light in desired ranges of locations can be employed.

Each of the light assemblies 642 illustrated in FIGS. 13-18 can bepowered by electrical wiring extending from the housing 644, into anaperture (not shown) in the handle 634 to which the light assembly 642is mounted, along and inside the handle 634, and through the armassemblies 612 as described in greater detail above.

By coupling the light assemblies 642 to the handles 634 as describedabove, the light assemblies 642 can be positioned over the platform 614or immediately adjacent and at a higher elevation than the platform 614,thereby providing effective illumination of the platform 614 belowwithout interference with other parts of the lift 610 (and despite thepresence of individuals or objects on the platform 614). Also, becausethe handles 634 in some embodiments are substantially stationary withrespect to the platform 614 in a range of positions of the platform 614as described above, the light assemblies 642 can provide a substantiallyconstant intensity, type, and area of illumination in a range ofvertical positions of the platform 614.

As also described above, it is often desirable to place the lift 610 ina stowed position in which the lift 610 occupies a relatively smallamount of space in the vehicle. To this end, the light assemblies 642can be coupled to the handles 634 in locations in which the lightassemblies 642 do not increase the vehicle space needed for the lift610. In other words, when the lift 610 is in a stowed position, the lift610 occupies a volume in the vehicle defined by a number of externalplanes. The light assemblies 642 can be positioned so that the lift 610occupies substantially the same amount of vehicle space with or withoutthe light assemblies 642. For example, and with reference to FIG. 15,the light assemblies 642 can be mounted to the handles 634 so that theoutermost surface(s) of the light assemblies 642 do not protrude beyonda front plane 648 and a top plane 670 in which the outermost (outboard)and top features of the lift 610 lie when the lift 610 is in a fullystowed position. By locating the light assemblies 642 in recessedpositions with respect to surrounding lift structure, the lightassemblies 642 are less susceptible to damage and do not increase thesize of the lift 610.

Yet another illuminated lift is illustrated in FIG. 19. With theexception of the light assemblies, this embodiment is substantially thesame as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13-18 and described above.Accordingly, reference should be made to the above description foradditional information regarding the elements, features, and possiblealternatives to the elements and features of the lift illustrated inFIG. 19 and described below. Elements and features of the embodimentshown in FIG. 19 that correspond to elements and features of theembodiments of FIGS. 13-18 are designated hereinafter in the 700 seriesof reference numbers.

The light assemblies 742 illustrated in FIG. 19 are mounted and poweredin the same locations and manners as described above with reference tothe embodiment of FIGS. 13-18. However, the light assemblies 742 in FIG.19 are shaped to cast light in a single direction, and have lenses 746that are shaped for this purpose. Although lenses 746 having othershapes can perform this same function, the lenses 746 illustrated inFIG. 19 are substantially flat. Like the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.13-18, the light assemblies 742 can be coupled to the handles 734 in anyposition desired, thereby enabling the light assemblies 742 toilluminate any portion of the lift 710 or lift environment (e.g., theentire platform 714, only a front or rear portion of the platform 714,areas around the platform 714, and the like).

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures arepresented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitationupon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, itwill be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that variouschanges in the elements and their configuration and arrangement arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

For example, the lifts 10, 110, 210, 310, 510, 610, 710 illustrated inthe accompanying figures have two or four light assemblies 42, 142, 242,342, 442, 542, 642, 742 located as described above. The number of lightassemblies 42, 142, 242, 342, 442, 542, 642, 742 in each illustratedembodiment is presented by way of example only. It should be noted thatin each of the illuminated lift embodiments described herein andillustrated in the figures, any number of light assemblies 42, 142, 242,342, 442, 542, 642, 742 can be used.

As another example, the lifts 10, 110, 210, 310, 510, 610, 710 describedabove and illustrated in the figures each have actuators 32, 132, 232,332, 432, 532, 632, 732 that cam against arms 16, 116, 216, 316, 516,616, 716 of the arm assemblies 12, 112, 212, 312, 512, 612, 712 andthereby cause the platform 14, 114, 214, 314, 514, 614, 714 and thehandles 34, 134, 234, 334, 534, 634, 734 to pivot between stowed anddeployed positions. However, it will be appreciated that the platform14, 114, 214, 314, 514, 614, 714 and handles 34, 134, 234, 334, 534,634, 734 can be pivoted in a number of other manners, including withoutlimitations by dedicated actuators (e.g., hydraulic or pneumaticpistons, solenoids, electric motors, and other actuator types), by othertypes of mechanical connections to the platform 14, 114, 214, 314, 514,614, 714 and/or handles 34, 134, 234, 334, 534, 634, 734 and the like.All such alternative manners of pivoting the platform 14, 114, 214, 314,514, 614, 714 and/or handles 34, 134, 234, 334, 534, 634, 734 arepossible, and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A vehicle access apparatus coupled to and movable with respect to avehicle for user entry into and exit from the vehicle, the vehicleaccess apparatus comprising: a base coupled to the vehicle; a platformmovable relative to the base between a lowered position and a raisedposition; a linkage assembly including a portion moveably coupling theplatform to the base; an actuator coupled to the linkage assembly andoperable to move the linkage assembly and the platform; and a lightmounted on the linkage assembly to maintain a substantially constantpositional relationship with the platform for illumination of theplatform during a first portion of movement between the lowered positionand the raised position, and mounted on the linkage assembly to changepositional relationship with the platform during a second portion ofmovement between the lowered position and the raised position.
 2. Thevehicle access apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linkageassembly includes an arm coupled to the platform and the actuator, thearm movable by the actuator to move the platform, wherein the light islocated on the arm.
 3. The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein the first portion of movement includes movement between adeployed position and a transfer position, and wherein the secondportion of movement includes movement between the transfer position anda stowed position.
 4. The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein the linkage assembly includes at least one handle positionedto be grasped by a user on the platform, wherein the light is mounted onthe handle.
 5. The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in claim 4,wherein the light is located at a higher elevation than the handle. 6.The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising ahousing in which the light is at least partially received, the housingshaped to direct light toward the platform.
 7. The vehicle accessapparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising anelectroluminescent light strip mounted on the platform.
 8. A vehicleaccess apparatus coupled to and movable with respect to a vehicle foruser entry into and exit from the vehicle, the vehicle access apparatuscomprising: a base coupled to the vehicle; a platform movably coupled tothe base; an actuator coupled to the platform and operable to move theplatform between different positions relative to the base, the differentpositions including a stowed position, a deployed position, and anintermediate position; a light coupled to the platform, wherein theplatform and the light move relative to one another during movement ofthe platform between the stowed position and the intermediate position,and wherein the platform and the light move together to maintain asubstantially constant positional relationship during movement of theplatform between the intermediate position and the deployed position. 9.The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising alinkage assembly coupling the platform to the base and movable by theactuator to move the platform, wherein the light is located on thelinkage assembly. 10 The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in claim 9,wherein the linkage assembly includes at least one handle positioned tobe grasped by a user on the platform, wherein the light is mounted onthe handle.
 11. The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in claim 8,wherein the platform is substantially horizontal in the deployedposition and the intermediate position, and wherein the platform issubstantially vertical in the stowed position.
 12. The vehicle accessapparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the vehicle includes a floorlevel, and wherein the intermediate position is a transfer position inwhich the platform is substantially even with the vehicle floor formovement of the user between the platform and the vehicle floor.